GREEN OSSINING’s 13th ANNUAL EARTH DAY FESTIVAL – Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Deadline for VENDORS/EXHIBITORS is Friday, March 24, 20023.

We are thrilled to announce that our 13th Annual Earth Day Festival will be held on EARTH DAY, Saturday, April 22nd, 2023. SAVE THE DATE to join us in any capacity: an attendee, or as vendor/exhibitor.

In our 13th year,  the Festival will continue running from 10a-5pm, on the beautiful banks of the Hudson River. As we honor the 53rd  anniversary of Earth Day, we remain keenly aware of the great challenges affecting our natural environment, our planet, and life as we know it.  Educational opportunities will include renewable energy solutions, local resilience and the importance of supporting our local economy as well as the organizations that will help toward that, using and wasting less, being more resourceful, and being a more conscious consumer, among other things.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR/EXHIBITOR? Be some of the first to register https://greenossining.wufoo.com/forms/m48a05o0vyroky/here: 

NOTE: Deadline for vendors/exhibitors is Friday, March 24th!

If you are a Food/Beverage vendor, please pay close attention to the requirements including plates/bowls/cups/straws/utensils must be compostable (recyclable or biodegradable are not acceptable).  Our Festival is ZERO WASTE so we aim to ensure that “waste” is upcycled and repurposed and diverted to compost as much as possible. We offer compostable service provider suggestions within the application should you need one, but don’t wait long to buy them as compostable stock has a history of limited supplies around Earth Day.

As we have limited space, accepted vendors are on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Please be sure to read the rules and regulations within the application. Banner sponsorship opportunities are available on a limited basis for an additional fee. 

If you like what you have experienced in the past, may we ask for your vote? Please drop us a thumbs-up by voting for us here as a Best of Westchester Sustainability Organization, by January 20th?  Hosting the County’s largest Earth Day Festival is just one of the many things we do to work towards a more sustainable future. See our shortlist below!

On behalf of all of us at Green Ossining, we look forward to hearing back from you!

##

 

Why Vote for Green Ossining as a Best of Westchester Sustainability Committee?

Green Ossining annually stages the largest Earth Day celebration in Westchester County at Louis Engel waterfront park in Ossining. In 2018, more than 4,000 people attended the event which featured over 100 environmentally focused vendors, many educational opportunities as well as hands-on activities and a full day of musical performances. In 2023, the Earth Day celebration in its 13th year, will take place on Saturday, April 22nd.

In its history, Green Ossining has created a number of efforts to educate and engage the community. Here is a sampling of engagement efforts:

Launched:

      • Westchester County’s first Repair Café (June 2017)
      • The Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series (June 2013)
      • Semi-annual community wide Tag Sales (May 2014, enticing the community to meet their neighbors, keep unwanted items out of waste stream, and to reduce paper waste from hard copy promotion)
      • Community E-Waste Drives
      • Ossining’s Green Food Scene (2017): highlighting local purveyors and their green practices
      • Ossining100 – a Chapter of C.U.R.E. 100 – (September 2021, focused on reducing Ossining’s Carbon Footprint incrementally by 100% by 2040 through education, a personal carbon tracker app, and advocacy) 

Community Outreach Liaisons for environmental programs/organizations:

Promotion and Advocacy of :

Campaigns Launched/co-partnered:

        • Successful Single Use Plastic Bag Reduction Effort (2015) at the Ossining Farmers Market (Partnering with Riverkeeper, Down to Earth Markets, ECOBAGS)
        • Reusable Bag Initiative (2018)
        • Textile Recovery : helped bring textile waste recovery to Ossining and the Ossining Farmers Market
        • Brought attention to Municipal Use of Toxic Round-Up (2018, use is now discontinued)
      • Green Ossining Sustainability Partnership (since 2018, GOSP–recognizes businesses in the community who are following a broad range of sustainable and environmentally sound business practices in their daily operation.)
      • Car-Free Day (since 2018, brought award-winning recognition, ideas and options to our community on this international day of recognition through 511NYRideshare)

 

 


Just a quick note of thanks to those of you who were able to make it out and attended Green Ossining’s 12th Annual Earth Day Festival!

The Hudson River backdrop, the great live music and informative and fun vendors, the premium food and craft beer vendors, and the excellent selection of weather that Mother Nature served us – would not have delivered on the day without YOU. So from all of us at Green Ossining, a huge THANK YOU for spending the day with us.
 
If you liked yesterday, please be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @Green Ossining.
 
 
And a note of thank too to our Grand Sponsors: Sing Sing Kill Brewery, Sustainable Westchester, Climate Reality Project, Good Choice Kitchen, SBS Printing & Shipping, Captain Lawrence Brewing, Suburban Carting, Hudson Valley Books for Humanity , Down to Earth Markets, The Town of Ossining and The Village of Ossining.
 
As well as our Banner Sponsors:
First Village Coffee, Just Eyes Optometry, 6 degrees or Less Brewery, The Scuba Club of Westchester, Healthy Home Energy & Consulting, Graceland Meadows Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, WESPAC Foundation, Green Home Solutions, Hudson Valley Stream Conservancy, ENU Builds, Welcome Home Westchester, Mothers Out Front, Theater O, Sunrise Solar, Teatown Lake Reservation, Melita’s Home, Sing Sing Prison Museum, Metro North TRACKS, Mark Seiden Real Estate, and Baked by Susan.
 
p.s. If you are out and about and you still see Earth Day Festival lawn signs out – we will be collecting them within the week(not like our usual 24 hour pick-up turn around). We are trying to time the collection with putting out our signs for the Community-Wide Tag Sale on Saturday May 7th. So don’t dispose of them! We are conscious of our footprint and re-use them every year!

updated on Earth Day!

Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival is Tomorrow Saturday, April 23rd.

Much of our content and vendor profiles and events have been posted ongoing on our Facebook Page (@GreenOssining) and Facebook Event Page (https://fb.me/e/1iRZSX3P1) as well as on Instagram (@GreenOssining).

Put for those of you not loving the navigation of those social media platforms, here is some important information:

CHILDREN’S MARCH!

Bring your youngsters to a kick-off March for the Earth Day Festival, this Saturday at 9:30A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STAGE LINE-UP

DRUM ROLL PLEASE….
We’ve got a line-up we are really excited about!
If we weren’t listening to our kids’ voices, what kind of Earth Day Festival would it be? So we will begin by setting our intentions appropriately for the day. Then kids of all ages are invited to be part of AMD Middle School’s lead of a Kids’ March from the top of the Secor Road Bridge to open the Festival.
There are extra special voices throughout the day coming from the stage so check out our line-up and share!
We can’t wait to see you!
(p.s. Look for our upcoming post on Parking & Shuttle Bus locations. Do not plan on parking on the River side. We do not want you frustrated! And if you are anywhere near a Metro North stop – take the Train to Ossining! Easy on and off access. Also=better for the planet).

 

 

 

 

 

E-WASTE DRIVE, COMPUTER RECYCLING  & TEXTILES RECYCLING

We love Green Tree Textiles and they’ll be down at the River too to accept textiles.    As well,  you can drop off your E-Waste Drive and make a Computer Donation!

We are pleased to offer you an opportunity to drop off the E-Waste listed here. Thank you to the Village of Ossining for making this possible.
***While we discourage anyone coming over the Secor Road bridge by car (you will most definitely be disappointed to find there are no parking spots on the Riverside), you can bring your e-waste over by vehicle and pull into a small entrance to drop off your items.

 

 

 

As well! Got a computer that could have a second life? Sam Nadol, an Ossining High School student, has a mission for his organization called Reboot: to repair and recycle non-working computers, donating them to families, organizations or individuals who would otherwise lack access to technology. Both he and his brother Joey are looking for donations of any type of computer, working or broken, no matter the age.
You’ll find Reboot at the E-Waste drop off!
Questions for Reboot? rebootpc.org@gmail.com
The Village of Ossining, New York
EARTH DAY FESTIVAL: ENCOURAGEMENT
As we honor the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day, we remain keenly aware of the great challenges affecting our natural environment, our planet, and life as we know it.
We are also of the belief that there is much we can each personally do to affect positive change through the everyday choices we each have the power to make.
You’ll find many you love about festivals – food, music, artisans, activities – but we hope you’ll also join
us in our recognition of the urgency to action that is needed. We encourage you to show us what matters
to you by bringing posters or signs that amplify your voice about environmental issues, reflecting your
environmental concerns, thoughts on policy changes needed, and/or social justice impacts that you want
to remind people of as a result of our changing climate.

GETTING THERE AND PARKING:

If you are using GPS, coordinates are 41.1557° N, 73.8699° W.  

The address is:

Louis Engel Waterfront Park

25 Westerly Road, 

Ossining, NY 10562 

Heads up folks!
DO NOT expect to find public parking on the River side of the Ossining Train Station until after about 6p on Saturday Night. Please warn anyone you know that might be affected that they should not Park overnight (Tonight/Friday) anywhere south of 3 Westerly on the River side to avoid getting towed on Saturday morning. Signs are posted!Will there be congestion if you try to parking down by the River on Saturday for the Festival?! Yeah — probably pretty much guaranteed. But we’ve got some handy dandy public parking locations and a Shuttle Bus to Green Ossining’s 12th Annual Earth Day Festival! If you are not walking/running or taking Metro North, and plan to drive to the Festival, please park in one of the public lots and either walk or take our Karma Loop shuttle (courtesy of Ossining Recreation and Parks) which stops at the Brandreth Street lot and Market Square (Spring & Main Street) and will loop from Engel Park back to those locations throughout the day beginning at 11am
We also advise folks not to attempt to Park on the River side of the Ossining Train station to avoid limited parking and potential traffic jams.
Special thanks to Village Trustee Manny Quezada for creating this map to help folks get around more easily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!  Live-and-in-person!


Updated on April 4, 2022

Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival is Bringing Back Live-And-In-Person! Sat. April 23rd. ( Vendor Registration is Now Closed)

We’re in the thick of our plans and getting ready to welcome you all back.   We’ll be adding special information about the Festival here (like a couple of activities that require pre-registration, stage schedule, various activities, and other pieces of useful information.

Don’t miss all of our vendor/exhibitor/musician profiles by following our event page on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1iRZSX3P1

One important note:  getting to the Festival is easy – especially if you take Metro North to the Ossining station. Just walk down the ramp or stairs and you’ve made it!

More to come!


Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival is Bringing Back Live-And-In-Person! Sat. April 23rd.

A Riverfront Family-Oriented Day of Music & Activities Demonstrating our Support of Environmental Protection.  

Green Ossining’s 12th Annual Earth Day Festival expects to return to its live-and-in-person format at Louis B. Engel Waterfront Park on April 23rd from 10am-5pm. Join the Greater Ossining community in our annual celebration of Earth Day. Bring family and friends. Learn how to live a more sustainable life, visit artisan vendors, and enjoy food and live music on the banks of the Hudson River.

As Westchester County’s largest community-run earth day festival– enjoying more than 4,000 attendees in the past and expecting some 100+ vendors –the Festival has grown from 300 attendees and 20 vendors in our first year and attracts visitors from as far south as Brooklyn to counties surrounding and north of Westchester. The Festival offers hands-on activities and educational opportunities for everyone, as well as full day of great live music and entertainment aiming to make it our best Earth Day celebration yet.

“As we honor the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day, we remain keenly aware of the great challenges affecting our natural environment, our planet, and life as we know it. We are also of the belief that there is much we can each personally do to affect positive change through the everyday choices we each have the power to make. You’ll find many you love about festivals – food, music, artisans, activities – but we hope you’ll also join us in our recognition of the urgency to action that is needed. As well, we encourage you to show us what matters to you by bringing posters or signs that amplify your voice about environmental issues, reflecting your environmental concerns, thoughts on policy changes needed, and/or social justice impacts that you want to remind people of as a result of our changing climate.” said Suzie Ross, Chairperson and founding member, Green Ossining.

Featured events of the day include:
• Arts & Artisan Vendors
• Eco-demonstrations & hands-on activities
• Focused Kid’s Activity Zone
• Food Foraging with The
Rewilding School
• Teachings and Water Blessings by Native Elder, Pointsetta and daughters Wild Flower and Flying Arrow (Ramapough Lunaape)
• Environmental advocacy organizations
• Zero-Waste in action on the Festival grounds
• E-Waste Drive (tentative) /Textile Recycling Drop-Off
• Delicious Local Food including vegetarian and vegan fare
• Craft Beer
• Drum & Ukulele Circles (BYO – limited supplies will be available)
• Local “Green” Services/ Products/Solutions
• Learn about using eco-friendly products & how to save money by reducing your carbon footprint!
• Community Organizations: All existing to help you! Learn more about the variety of groups in our own backyard.
• Live music all day featuring Blue Basement, Claremont School Chorus, Julie Corbalis, Mike & Miriam Risko and the Mike Risko Band, Shovel Ready String Band, KJ Denhert, and the Stella Blues Band.

“What we have learned over the past couple of years is that environmentally friendly housing, parks, roads, and everything that sustains us is no longer an option but our lifeline. The Village of Ossining sits on 3.2 square miles on the banks of the majestic Hudson River, and we are enthusiastic to once again support the Earth Day Festival which every year becomes the green education hub for all who want to learn how they can continue to lean into being the stewards of our environment.” said Village of Ossining Mayor, Rika Levin.

Ossining Town Supervisor, Dana Levenberg, added “The Town of Ossining is so excited to once again be co-hosting Green Ossining’s Earth Day Festival in person at Louis Engel Park to celebrate our Earth and educate about how we can and must protect it. We take our responsibility for sustainability very seriously in the Town, and this event is a chance to learn about what we can all do, as individuals and collectively, to protect our natural resources including the beautiful Hudson River.”

A Special Note For Vendors: If you are a Food/Beverage vendor, please pay close attention to the requirements including  the requirement that plates/bowls/cups/straws/utensils must be compostable (recyclable or biodegradable are not acceptable). We offer compostable service provider suggestions should you need one. Why compostable? Our Zero Waste efforts optimize our ability to return as much waste from the Festival as possible into earth-friendly compost. Compostable waste adds value to the planet and reduces our carbon emissions.  Please be sure to read the rules and regulations within the application which you may find here. Banner sponsorship opportunities are available on a limited basis for an additional fee. 

The Festival is hosted and organized by Green Ossining with the assistance of the Town and Village of Ossining. This year’s sponsors include SBS Printing and Shipping, Mike Risko Music, Good Choice Kitchen, Down to Earth Markets, Suburban Carting, Sing Sing Kill Brewery, Captain Lawrence, The Climate Reality Project, Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, and Sustainable Westchester. Stay tuned for more updates and about other special events happening throughout the day!

For the most up-to-date information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram on Facebook event page  or keep it here! 

 

*Please note that vendor space is on a first-come-first-served basis, and registration does not guarantee a spot.  Application submission is not an assurance of participation. We reserve the right to select vendors based on variety and whose values are in most in line with our mission “To promote environmental sustainability community-wide, and develop practical methods that protect our natural resources.” Since space is limited, variety of vendors will also be a factor. We will notify you within a week of registration should your application be declined.

While our Festival is ‘Rain or Shine,’ should a COVID-related issues require postponement, please Save-The-Date for Saturday, June 4th. We will communicate any postponement plan by Saturday, April 9th. 

 

 


January 7, 2022

The Green Ossining Earth Day Festival is back (fingers crossed) in 2022! Live and In-Person.

Healthy and happy 2022 to all of you!

With a foundation of optimism and hope, we’re setting our sights on a 2022 future that includes a return to our one-day live-and-in-person Earth Day Festival.  While we work on buttoning up the backend details needed to get vendor applications ready-to-go, please SAVE THE DATE for the Festival: Saturday, April 23rd* from 10-5p at Louis Engel Waterfront Park.   Registration will be open on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 and will close on or before March 25, 2022.  Check back here for a registration application link!

In the meantime, we’d like to note and thank this year’s Grand Sponsors: the Town of Ossining, the Village of Ossining, Down to Earth Markets, Hudson Valley Books for Humanity, Good Choice Kitchen, Suburban Carting, Mike Risko Music School, and Sing Sing Kill Brewery.

A special note to food vendors: If you hope to be a food vendor at the event, we are reminding you of our rules regarding the need to use compostable food service items which includes cutlery and dining-ware (cups, bowls, plates, straws).   Please note that this rule will be strictly enforced and while we would never want an admitted vendor to be asked to leave our event especially the day of, any detrimental activity to our environment on that day will not be tolerated.  Furthermore, use of compostables is now a rule for food vendors at all events that require permission from the Village or Town.  Compostable items can be processed in food waste recycling efforts and helps us toward our ZERO WASTE event goals. Use of compostable items over the use of those that claim to be biodegradable, made from recycled content/recyclable, or made from other materials is also good for the planet and that’s what the event is all about.  So, if you are unsure, we welcome you to ask us any questions. We will also be providing a suggestion of vendors you can use to supply you with any of your compostable needs.

So check back here soon, and look out for up-to-the-minute updates when we post our Facebook Event in the coming weeks.

Stay safe out there!

##

*Should COVID derail our in-person plans for April, we will move the Festival to Saturday, June 4th.


Green Ossining’s 10th Annual Earth Day Festival will be a weeklong celebration of activities, partnerships and offers beginning on Saturday April 17 through Sunday, April 25, 2021.

Determined to not let another year escape, we have pivoted from our usual large scale in-person event format, and with more than 60 activities –including week-long offers, opportunities at a set date and time, small socially-distanced gatherings or special on-line entertainment and educational experiences — there will be something for everyone.

Engagements include opportunities to show-up for a community-wide clean-up, visit a petting zoo, participate in special events at local farms, learn how to cook and eat healthier, enjoy hands-on kid’s activities, purchase fair-trade and local artisan goods, participate in NY farm beer tastings, learn about composting, plant trees in our parks, and hear and participate in live music events. As well, many of our local brick-and-mortar businesses will have special offers because supporting a local economy is a facet of a sustainable future. And that is just a sample of what we have planned!

“While the pandemic has tested our resilience on so many levels, record numbers of people turned to the great outdoors and spent time taking in the gifts that only our natural world could offer. Parallel to continued interest in the outdoors, human-caused planetary warming continues to hasten the instability of the global and local climate. It is imperative communities also understand what is at stake, the urgency of action, and both the necessity and importance of individual participation. We have all spent the past year being incredibly creative, and we’re grateful for an opportunity to envision a meaningful and safe Earth week celebration with all of you in 2021.” said Suzie Ross, Chairperson and founding member, Green Ossining.

Town of Ossining Supervisor, Dana Levenberg, said “The Town of Ossining is happy to once again partner with Green Ossining to celebrate Earth Day, this year in a week-long socially distanced approach that considers the care for our public health as well. Of course, all the sustainability initiatives that will be highlighted throughout the week not only benefit the long-term health of our environment, but our bodies and minds as well. Big thanks to Green Ossining team for continuing to push us all to take personal responsibility for our Earth, during Earth Week and every week.”

“As we rush to plan for a post-pandemic recovery, I encourage all Ossining residents and businesses to “build back better.” The risks faced by ignoring the threats of environmental destruction must be understood and addressed with protections and policies. The weeklong Earth Day events will educate and entice us all to become citizen scientists and active green participants. Thank you to Green Ossining for creating these local windows of opportunities, “ said Village of Ossining Mayor, Rika Levin.

The Festival is hosted and organized by Green Ossining, with the assistance of the Town and Village of Ossining. Stay tuned for more updates and about other special events happening throughout the day! For the most up-to-date information, follow us on Instagram, on our Facebook event page at https://fb.me/e/1jskWUoj4

Click here for events!
Updates are happening daily!

Penny&Ting Eco friendly – Green toys (In-Person)

Penny & Ting 133 Main St, Ossining, NY

    Penny&Ting will donate 10% of all sales proceed to Riverkeeper. Please come and support this Ossinig Gem. Check out their great inventory of childrens grames, toys and books.…

Misshapened Bowl Pop-up Shop (In-Person)

Ossining, NY

Join local woodworker Charles Lazarus to view and purchase his handcrafted wooden bowls. He will be hosting his popup shop outside one of Ossining's most eco-friendly homes. Homeowner Emily Sack…

Visit Ossining’s First Passive House! (In-Person).

Ossining, NY

Emily Sack invites you to do an exterior tour of her new  - and Ossining's first - passive house (including zero waste process and composting).  A passive house includes a…

Brother’s Fish N Chips: Local Fish Tacos (In-Person)

Brother's Fish N Chips 172 North Highland Avenue, Ossining, NY

In celebrating Earth day, Brother's Fish N Chips will be offering fish tacos. All ingredients in this special dish are local, and tacos will be served grilled, or in beer…

Gently Used Instrument Drive (In-Person)

Mike Risko Music School 144 Croton Ave, Ossining, NY

If you have a gently used instrument that you no longer play, send it our way so we can bring it back to life and get it into the hands…

Max’s Arcade (Online)

Ossining, NY

Max (age 12) creates an arcade out of recycled materials. Now he teaches virtual workshops to help other kids learn how to do the same. He will run workshops on…

Wasted: A Food Story (Online)

Ossining, NY

Love food but hate waste? Join us as we explore the food system and find ways to reduce our environmental footprint. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86132768293?pwd=ZHdyRXZ3NjlUMUhtQ1RSSm9aTktTZz09 Meeting ID: 861 3276 8293…

IFCA Thrift Shop Specials (In-Person)

Ossining, NY

Mention Green Ossining Earth Day Festival and you will receive a free gift with purchase or you can participate in our exchange program by bringing in an item for the…

Max’s Arcade (Online)

Ossining, NY

Max (age 12) creates an arcade out of recycled materials. Now he teaches virtual workshops to help other kids learn how to do the same. He will run workshops on…

Backyard Composting is EZ! (Online)

Ossining, NY

Join Elisa Zazerra (via zoom) at her back yard compost set up. She'll show you how she manages her food and other organic waste to create useful enriched soil.   Local…

Live Performance: Singer/Songwriter Julie Corbalis (Online)

Ossining, NY

Original and classic acoustic rock from Julie's living room, with some stories about her love of the earth, reusing, and recycling! Julie will be livestream on Facebook Link: https://fb.me/e/23sb7HGJe If…

Max’s Arcade (Online)

Ossining, NY

Max (age 12) creates an arcade out of recycled materials. Now he teaches virtual workshops to help other kids learn how to do the same. He will run workshops on…

Environmental Art & Storytelling (Online)

Ossining, NY

Through storytelling, film, photos, art, and music,  James Dean Conklin and Jim Metzger will share their environmental adventures in far off places and here at home as they seek solutions…

Join Ossining’s Pollinator Pathway! (In-Person)

Ossining Farmers Market Ossining, NY

Stop by our booth at the Farmers Market to learn more about how to support the pollinators that give us food and flowers! It's easy, fun, and beautiful to create…

Bliss Co-Op Pop Up Shop (In-Person)

Bliss Co-Op 13 Park Ave, Ossining

Bliss Co-op is a little boutique featuring the creative works of Hudson Valley & regional women artisans. It gives an opportunity for those artists who need a little exposure in…

Max’s Arcade (Online)

Ossining, NY

Max (age 12) creates an arcade out of recycled materials. Now he teaches virtual workshops to help other kids learn how to do the same. He will run workshops on…

Max’s Arcade (Online)

Ossining, NY

Max (age 12) creates an arcade out of recycled materials. Now he teaches virtual workshops to help other kids learn how to do the same. He will run workshops on…

The Ossining Pollinator Pathway-Green Ossining Seed Swap!

Ossining Farmers Market Ossining, NY

Ossining is having a Seed Swap! Join Green Ossining, Ossining Pollinator Pathway's Margaret Phelan and Ossining Gardens' Erika Boetsch (also Chair of The Village of Ossining's Environmental Advisory Council) for…

Green Ossining Fall Community Tag Sale

Registration has opened for the Green Ossining Fall Community Tag Sale on Saturday, October 2, so start boxing up items you no longer need or want! It’s a great way…

11th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep

Ossining, NY

Big weekend of recommended enviro-HAPPENINGS here in Ossining that we'd like to make sure you know are happening: The Annual Riverkeeper Sweep is SATURDAY, May 7th. Green Ossining is hosting…